Haircut

Why is it so hard to get a decent hair cut?

I went to this woman today whom my mom loves. She's about my age, so I thought that she would do a cool, hip haircut. I told her that I just wanted a trim and to manage my layers. Well, the back looks like I want it, but she put a lot of layers in the front and she cut too much off in the front. I am not too pleased. I want my hair long and kind of straight. I want to get that 1960s sex kitten look, a la Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren. A sort of bed head, tossled, sexy look. I kind of wish that I never got my hair cut or that I would have gotten a friend to trim for me. It just seems like I never get exactly what I want. In Korea, my bangs were cut way too short so that I looked like a kid who's mom messed up his haircut. I guess that I will have to start going to those $100 per haircut salons to get what I really want.

Need story

I was just given an assignment for the Oconomowoc Enterprise. I need to write a story for Valentine's Day but it can't be any of the same old things like a couple who has been married for a long time, a couple that got married on Feb.14, best/worst gifts, etc. Does any one have any suggestions for a possible topic? I would appreciate any input.

Technology inept

Well, you probably expect me to say that I am the one who is techonlogy inept, but after spending about 8 hours on the phone with Dell Computers this weekend, I feel smarter than some of their techies. Actually, it's my dad and my boyfriend, Aaron who are the computer savvy as it turns out. After spending many long house (my whole Friday night) on the phone with the techie guys from India, I was still unable to fix my computer which had been refusing to connect to the internet and to burn file CDs. I went out and bought an expensive external hard drive to back all of my stuff up in preparation to

lose everything while reloading systems. I talked to Aaron, who first thing suggested to reset systems to a previous day. I did, to Dec. 24, but it failed to work. We tried some other things but without luck. Later in the afternoon, my dad and I tried to do what Dell told me to do, but it was too difficult and it simply wasn't working. We ended up setting the computer back to Oct. 31-and low and behold-my computer was able to access the internet once again and burn file CDs!!! I was so psyched! And since I am addicted to the internet. It brings me so much comfort to know that it is on and ready to go, I am so happy to have it hooked up in my room. Communicating with the world just got a lot easier again.

Not much else new. I am still trying to find my way back here in the States. I miss Korea and all of my friends there and my way of life. Things are fine here, but I am kind of bored and lonely. The weather is much nicer here and it is nice being able to talk to everyone. And for dinner tonight we had mashed potatoes and roast beef!! So yummy. Can't get food like that in Korea.

Quote:

"The secret to a rich life is to have more beginnings than endings."

--Dave Weinbaum

Dreary day=Dreary mood

Well, the weather is very dreary today. Gray skies, wet earth, cool temperatures. All this has made me feel a bit down. I've got some Charles Mingus on the steroe (thanks Paul) and am trying to feel more upbeat. It's just one of those days where all the little things bug you a lot more than they should. And the things that are bugging me are with my computer (anything technical or gadgety always stress me out!!) I am trying to appreciate my free time and enjoy the small things like getting to watch new episodes of My Name is Earl and seeing birds on the bird feeder. I do hope that it snows this weekend and that the weatherman isn't lying.

there isn't too much to report here. I need something to spark some creative thinking in my brain. This weather just makes me want to be lazy. To curl up with a book, a mug of caramel hot chocolate, a bag of M&Ms and never leave the house.....

Quote:
If you don't think that everyday is a good day, just try missing one.
--Cavett Robert

Memories

What makes us remember certain things and forget others? What makes some memories never fade? or do they all eventaully fade to subdued colors and shadows of what really happened?

I have only been gone from Korea for about 10 days and Korea seems like a dream. I feel like I went to sleep one night and woke with feelings and impressions of a faraway place. What has made Korea fade into a dream feeling so quickly?

I suspect that it is not so much me, but the atmosphere that I find my self in presently. This place has affected my memories of Korea. When I returned to the USA, I felt different. I was more self-relient, independent, free-thinking and I expected Oconomowoc and Wisconsin to have changed more. But, I found it pretty much the same as when I left it. True, the Starbucks is open, there is a St.Vincent De Paul and a Stein's gifts, but the town feels pretty much the same; there are the same people at church and in the stores. I have fallen back into my old routine with my parents, which has also made my life in Korea feel like a routine.

Another factor is that I can't talk with anyone here who has shared the same experiences in Korea with me. I feel disconnected to the people there and to those here. I feel inbetween worlds almost.

I really hate this feeling. I feel like I lost my new identity and was forced to take my old identity. I am afraid that I will lose what I gained in Korea: both my memories and my improved personality.

Quote:
What peaceful hours I once enjoy'd! How sweet their memory still! But they have left an aching void The world can never fill. --William Cowper

Sunset, Starbucks and Same Same

It's been nearly a week since I arrived back in the USA. It's hard to believe that it's been that long already. In some ways, Korea almost feels like a dream. I have gone to some stores and restaurants and the same people are working there. There are some new stores, but for the most part, Oconomowoc looks the same. I feel different though. It's kind of a surreal experience. I feel kind of trapped between two places.

There are defintely some plusses to being home. I had an excellent pizza for lunch and Starbucks is about two dollars cheaper here than in Korea. Also, I was able to enjoy the most beautiful sunset tonight. Red, pink and magenta. Absolutely brilliant. I was able to appreciate only one sunset in Bucheon because the buildings blocked the sky.

It's still rough transitioning, but I hope that I feel calmer soon.


Quote:
The only person stopping you from doing something is yourself, and looking for excuses all the time just gets in the way of obtaining your own goals. It's like the writer who keeps getting up and straightening the pictures in the room. ...Chrissie Hynde

Transition

Here I am back in the States! It's not easy making the transition. I am not experiencing reverse culture shock yet, because since arriving in Milwaukee, I have only gone to Culver's for a butterburger, home, to church and out for a New Year's Eve dinner. My flight was alright for an 18 hour flight; it was pretty uneventful. I felt pretty good on the plane considering my pneumonia and I am not suffering from jet lag. I am suffering from insomnia though, hence why I am writing on my blog at 4:50 in the morning. I think that my medicine is causing insomnia and hyperness. When I do wake up, I am overwhelmed by my bedroom. I have gone from a small, but tidy and uncluttered one-room apartment, to a very messy, small and cluttered bedroom. It is packed to the limit right now with suitcases, souvenirs, and many things from my past: books, knick-knacks and trinkets that I forgot about and that my parents found somewhere while I was gone and placed in my room. My room also has a heavy odor from my luggage. Apparently, Ipicked up an odor while in Korea that both of my parents smelled on me right when I disembarked the plane. It must be from the pollution and dirtiness of Korea. So now I must wash all of my clothes when the New Year is over (I am not looking forward to this task).

It is strange being back here. I definitely have mixed emotions. I am, of course, so happy to see family and friends and to eat my old favorite foods and to breathe fresh air. But, I feel like a visitor in my old home (my parents are not making me feel like a visitor, but after being gone for a year, I feel like such). It is also hard to give up my independence and I feel sort of like a kid again. There are no rules here, but I have given up my autonomy. I feel like I went from having my routine and my own life to sharing. It's a bit of a rough transition. I really need to get my room into working order so that I can write in there and feel comfortable. Right now, it is sucking energy and just giving off negative vibes. St. Vincent De Paul thrift store: expect lots of stuff!

One especially wonderful thing has been getting to see my dog again. He is 14, deaf and arthritic, but oh so lovable. It is so nice to have a dog to pet and to hug.

So wish me luck with sleeping, transitioning and getting well. I still feel a bit sick. I will feel great for a few hours but then will crash with fatigue. I know that will happen now with only 4 hours of sleep.

I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year in which your goals are achievable, your pockets full and most of all, your hearts light and joyful.